Clear the Air

Starting summer 2008, smoking will be banned in all Columbia residence halls. While students were previously permitted to smoke in suite-style buildings like East Campus, once the new policy takes effect, smoking will be banned in all University buildings. Though this new policy addresses many students’ concerns, the University must be wary of the effect this policy will have on the entrances to large dorms where smokers will most likely now congregate.

According to Housing and Dining’s current policy, all first-year residence halls and corridor-style buildings are non-smoking. Common areas—spaces other than student bedrooms—in all Housing and Dining residence halls and brownstone buildings are also smoke free. The only buildings where students are permitted to smoke are suite-style buildings, such as EC, Ruggles, and Watt. Smoking is only allowed when all members of the suite consent. If all members of the suite do not agree, then “the presumption will be in favor of non-smoking.” The decision to change the policy comes after a re-polling of student opinion on the issue over the past decade, with 70 percent of students voting against the right to smoke in residence halls. Housing and Dining’s new policy will extend the prohibition of smoking to all Columbia residence halls.

Despite the inconvenience the new policy presents to smokers, this change is a good move by Housing and Dining. According to Director of Housing and Dining Scott Wright, although individual students have the power to veto the decision to allow smoking, “students often feel uncomfortable exercising it.” Additionally, smoking in dorms can causes damage to walls and furniture, and the smell of smoke seeps through to other floors and dorm rooms. Yet, the University should ensure that smokers do not end up smoking in the entrances to dorms, as often happens in other University buildings like Butler and Avery Libraries. Housing and Dining should designate certain areas for smokers—close enough to the residence halls—that will ensure that they do not congregate in the entrances.

Columbia’s new smoking policy is a welcome change. In the long run, though, the University should make certain that banning smoking in buildings does not create new problems right outside them.